Sequoyah work begins, gym floor coming in AprilAlthough recent winter weather forced the closure of the Russellville School District two days, the district's major construction projects are still on pace to be completed in August. Van Horn Construction Vice President Chad Weisler updated the Building and Grounds Committee on the projects prior to Tuesday's Russellville Board of Education meeting. Weisler said weather isn't putting much of a damper on the $2.5 million Sequoyah Elementary ad...

Greathouse named Officer of the YearOfficer James "Brett" Greathouse was named the 2014 Officer of the Year and awarded a plaque during a ceremony Wednesday at the Russellville Police Department (RPD). "This award is given to an officer who has distinguished himself through either an accumulation of exceptional contributions or a single incident, and whose actions clearly place the individual above others of equal rank or grade," Chief Jeff Humphrey said as he presented Greathou...

Alliance considers hiring PR firmJeff Pipkin, Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED) and Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce president, told the AVAED during its regular meeting Thursday he contacted Mitchell Communications Group to inquire about help with public relations issues. He said the firm, who worked on the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market project, gave him a one-page summary of some actions it might take if hired as well as an estimate of $12,000-$1...

News Briefs (Feb. 20, 2015)Rabies vaccination deadline nearing Beginning Saturday, all animals within the city limits of Russellville must have a rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. This law has been in effect for many years, but a fine of $100 for lack of rabies vaccination was passed by the Russellville City Council on Jan. 22. The owner of the animal must provide proof the animal has been vaccinated. Baseball Sausage and Pancake Breakfast The ...

Russellville City Council tells engineer to move forward on O Street designThe Russellville City Council instructed Public Works Director and City Engineer Kurt Jones move forward with surveying work and a final design of the O Street project during Thursday’s meeting at City Hall. Jones presented updated designs to aldermen during the Finance Committee meeting that showed the complete-street project going to the Reasoner-Parker Road intersection. The council reviewed a design during its Feb. 10 Finance Committee tha...

Cemetery commission weighs burial optionsThe Oakland Cemetery Commission entertained the placement of columbarium — a structure to hold urns — in the city cemetery during its meeting Tuesday at City Hall. Brought into discussion by City Attorney Trey Smith, the proposed hexagonal columbarium would include 72 units and be placed along the north-south property line in the cemetery. Smith said the columbarium would provide families another option for burying their cremated loved ones. "...

Atkins Elementary rises to increased level of rigorATKINS — Since the implementation of Common Core State Standards, schools across the state have changed to more rigorous curriculums, including elementary schools. "Students are now asked to hypothesize, problem solve, make inferences, validate, investigate, apply their learning to authentic tasks and ask questions about their learning," Atkins Elementary School Principal Rocci Malone said. Malone said she is proud of how successful her studen...

Barber to retire at end of fiscal yearThe Russellville Board of Education accepted the retirement of Nathan Barber, assistant to the superintendent and business manager, during its meeting Tuesday at the administration building. Barber has served the district since July 2004, and his retirement will become effective July 30. "Our schools are an important part of the community, and the community is an important part of our schools," Barber told The Courier. "It has been a pleasure ...

Bond hearings (Feb. 18)The following individuals appeared in felony bond hearings Wednesday at the Pope County Detention Center. Their names, ages, anticipated charges and bond amounts are listed. If charged, they will appear March 30 in Pope County Circuit Court. • Jessica Freeman, 30, residential burglary — $3,500. In November 2013, Freeman forcibly entered and removed numerous items from an Atkins residence, a police report stated. Freeman reportedly sold some of...

News Briefs (Feb. 19, 2015)Retired Teachers to meet today Pope County Retired Teachers will meet at 9:30 a.m. for refreshments and 10 for the business session today at Wildflower, located at 240 S. Inglewood Ave. in Russellville. Davis Gateley from the Pope County Senior Activity Center will present the program. All retired educators are invited to attend. RHS After Prom meeting is Sunday A meeting of the Russellville High School After Prom Committee will begin at 2 p.m...

Public weighs in on Clean LineNearly 200 people packed the Lake Point Conference Center on Tuesday to discuss the proposed Plains & Eastern Clean Line Transmission Project. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is considering partnering with Clean Line Energy Partners LLC on the project and hosted the public hearing to assess the project's potential environmental impacts and receive the public's input. Jane Summerson, DOE spokesman, said all comments submitted — whether spok...

Running team honors fallen soldiersOZARK — A team of active duty and reserve airmen, soldiers, marines and Arkansas State Police will embark on a 146-mile memorial run to honor every Arkansas service member who died while serving our country since Sept. 11, 2001. The “Arkansas Run for the Fallen” will take off at 10 a.m. March 20 at the Ozark City Hall and finish at the Arkansas State Capitol on March 22. Runners will stop at various locations throughout Russellville every 10 m...

Polar Plunge seeks drier forecastPolar Plunge participants won't be "Freezin' for a Reason" this month. Because of inclement weather, the annual event has been postponed from Saturday to March 14. Although forecast high a temperature of 54 degrees promises warmer water temperatures, an 80 percent chance of rain and the possibility of a thunderstorm may keep plungers at bay. The fundraising event supports Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR), which is a nonprofit organization that...

Tri-Peaks Membership Banquet rescheduledThe Arkansas River Valley Tri-Peaks Tourism Association rescheduled its annual membership and tourism celebration banquet from Tuesday to March 3 after a winter storm on Monday left remnants of ice on roadways. “The banquet is being rescheduled due to continuing dangerous road conditions throughout the region,” Amanda Johnson, Tri-Peaks regional director, said. The new Tri-Peaks initiatives, brochure and website will be be unveiled during the ...

American Legion welcomes national commanderThe American Legion Auxiliary and Riggs-Hamilton Post 20 welcomed American Legion National Commander Michael Helm Tuesday on his tour through Arkansas. Russellville Mayor Randy Horton presented a proclamation in Helm's honor before the guests of American Legion Arkansas State Commander Jake Greeling, Arkansas American Legion Auxiliary President Elisabeth Kimball, Secretary of the Lake Dardanelle Marine League Bill Hefley, Pope County Judge Jim...

Seeds of Change to break groundOrganization for Cultural Resources and community volunteers will break ground on the Seeds of Change garden at noon Friday at the Freedom House. The area will soon be a garden space of butterfly and bee-attracting flowers, raised beds filled with berry bushes and a container garden of vegetables to be used in the Freedom House cafeteria. In a recent workshop with the McElroy House, Organization for Cultural Resources and Freedom House residen...

Report: Construction down, business permits upThe city had fewer construction projects but more new business permits issued in 2014 than 2013, according to a community development annual report. In 2014, the city reported 244 construction projects with an estimated cost of nearly $33.3 million, down 80 from 324 construction projects in 2013 with an estimated cost of $78.1 million. The construction projects reported include single family residences, residential remodels/additions, accessor...

News Briefs (Feb. 18, 2015)American Legion Jamboree Thursday The American Legion Jamboree, which will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the American Legion Hut, will feature the Williams Brothers. The band includes Leaman and Aubry Williams, Leo Eddleman, Frances Jones and George and Vickie Keith. Special Olympics benefit is Saturday Russellville Knights of Columbus, in conjunction with the Russellville Special Olympics 2015 Polar Plunge and 5K Race, will be host a buffet ...

Bicycle polo club wants permanent homeMaking its way into the Arkansas River Valley is a worldwide sport on two wheels. Members of River Valley Bicycle Polo recently petitioned the aid of the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department in hopes of finding a permanent home for the globally popular sport. "We are trying to get a place where we can play in Russellville," member Dustin Qualls said. "Ideally, we are looking for a tennis court because it's enclosed." A variation of the...